Layered panoramas for virtual reality (VR)

Abstract

A method for the production of immersive virtual reality experiences designed for viewing in virtual reality head-mounted displays (HMD). This unique layered panorama process is a cubic or spherical mapped content method for presentation of pre-rendered images viewed from a fixed point of view in a head mounted display for virtual reality (VR) applications, a method that by mapping/layering all visual elements onto a mono or stereoscopic spherical or cubic panorama surface creates a seamless visual integration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of a vehicle used in conjunction with graphic user interface elements, the method comprising:
 a. creating a first left panoramic layer using six stereo left images of a virtual showroom to form a left cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a left front face, a left right face, a left left face, a left back face, a left top face, and a left bottom face; 
 b. creating a first right panoramic layer using six stereo right images of a virtual showroom to form a right cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a right front face, a right right face, a right left face, a right back face, a right top face, and a right bottom face; 
 c. creating a second left panoramic layer of an interior of said vehicle using panoramic images with a camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter; 
 d. creating a second right panoramic layer of said interior of said vehicle using panoramic images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter; 
 e. creating a third left panoramic layer of an exterior of said vehicle by taking photos of said vehicle as it rotates with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter; 
 f. creating a third right panoramic layer of said exterior of said vehicle by taking photos of said vehicle as it rotates with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter; 
 g. using matching camera height, lighting, and lens diameter from said first left panoramic layer, shoot at least one left graphic user interface element; 
 h. using matching camera height, lighting, and lens diameter from said first right panoramic layer shoot, at least one right graphic user interface element; 
 i. creating a fourth left panoramic layer with said at least one left graphic user interface element for a user help file; 
 j. creating a fourth right panoramic layer with said at least one right graphic user interface element for a user help file; 
 k. creating a fifth left panoramic layer with said at least one left graphic user interface element to view said interior of said vehicle; 
 l. creating a fifth right panoramic layer with said at least one right graphic user interface element to view said interior of said vehicle; 
 m. align and aim a virtual camera at a center of said left cube and said right cube; 
 n. using at least two said left panoramic layers, align said at least two left panoramic layers on said left front face of said left cube; and 
 o. using at least two right panoramic layers, align said at least two right panoramic layers on said right front face of said right cube. 
 
     
     
       2. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in  claim 1 , further comprising: sync a shutterbox script to a rotating anchor object. 
     
     
       3. A method for creating stereoscopic panoramic photography of a vehicle for the exterior of a car utilizing lights, right and left spin computers, a computer, a stage, a stage wall, a grey horizon wall, a turntable, and a ramp, the method comprising:
 a. photographing an exterior of said vehicle including placing stage lights as follows:
 (i) first stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 315 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 45 degrees, 
 (ii) second stage light with 2 kilowatts of power at approximate location 360 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate horizon wall at 225 degrees, 
 (iii) third stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 45 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 315 degrees, 
 (iv) fourth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 60 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 315 degrees, 
 (v) fifth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 130 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 210 degrees, 
 (vi) sixth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 150 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 220 degrees, 
 (vii) seventh stage light with 2 kilowatts of power at approximate location 180 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate horizon wall at 300 degrees, 
 (viii) eighth stage light with 1 kilowatt of power at approximate location 200 degrees and lamp positioned to illuminate stage wall at 135 degrees; 
 
 b. drive a car vehicle onto a turntable and take photos for both left camera and right camera and save to output files; 
 c. creating panoramic photo:
 (i) mask the car vehicle including the car vehicle under carriage, tires, and antennas, 
 (ii) mask out the vehicle windows for all photos and save as separate files, 
 (iii) select a paintbrush and begin painting out irregularities of the cars' vehicle's shadow, 
 (iv) save and upload output files; and 
 
 d. final inspection including:
 (i) check to see if the camera reflection is visible and if so, remove reflection, 
 
 (ii) apply the adjustment layers to the images and save and upload output files. 
 
     
     
       4. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising: said panoramic images are obtained from a 35 mm camera. 
     
     
       5. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising: said 35 mm camera is controlled by a rig. 
     
     
       6. A method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of a vehicle used in conjunction with graphic user interface elements, the method comprising:
 a. creating a first left panoramic layer using six stereo left images of a virtual showroom to form a left cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a left front face, a left right face, a left left face, a left back face, a left top face, and a left bottom face; 
 b. creating a first right panoramic layer using six stereo right images of a virtual showroom to form a right cube having portions of the virtual showroom on a right front face, a right right face, a right left face, a right back face, a right top face, and a right bottom face; 
 c. creating a second left panoramic layer of an interior of said vehicle using a set of left images with a camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter; 
 d. creating a second right panoramic layer of said interior of said vehicle using a set of right images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter; 
 e. using at least two left panoramic layers, align said at least two left panoramic layers on said left front face of said left cube; and 
 f. using at least two right panoramic layers, align said at least two right panoramic layers on said right front face of said right cube. 
 
     
     
       7. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising: said virtual showroom contains a horizon wall, a turntable and a ramp. 
     
     
       8. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising: said panoramic images are obtained from a 35 mm camera. 
     
     
       9. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising: said 35 mm camera is controlled by a rig. 
     
     
       10. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising: creating a third left panoramic layer of an exterior of a said vehicle by taking a plurality of photos of said vehicle as it rotates a selected degrees using panoramic images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter. 
     
     
       11. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising: creating a third right panoramic layer of said exterior of a said vehicle by taking a plurality of photos of said vehicle as it rotates by said selected degrees using panoramic images with said camera at a given height, lighting at a given intensity, and lens at a given diameter. 
     
     
       12. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of photos is 36 photos. 
     
     
       13. The method for creating layered stereoscopic panoramic photography of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of photos is 36 photos.